What is the German Packaging Law (VerpackG)?

The Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) monitors compliance with the obligations of distributors of packaging and disposal systems in Germany in order to ensure transparency and fair competition. It has sovereign tasks such as the registration of distributors of packaging filled with goods. The ZSVR also has tasks under private law, such as setting up the register and database and concluding financing agreements with systems. The costs of the ZSVR are financed by levies from the systems and industry solutions and are monitored by the Federal Audit Office.

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All companies that place packaging filled with goods on the German market for the first time on a commercial basis (referred to as manufacturers in the law) must register in the LUCID packaging register and submit regular quantity reports.

Companies that place sales, repackaging or shipping packaging, which typically accumulates as waste with private end consumers, on the German market for the first time are also obliged to assume financial responsibility for this packaging subject to system participation and to finance its recycling. This process is referred to as system participation. System participation obligations are fulfilled by concluding a system participation contract with one or more systems.

The provisions of the Packaging Act represent the national implementation of European Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. The aim of this directive is to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and increase recycling rates. As each EU member state transposes the directive into national law and has a certain amount of leeway in doing so, there are differences in the practical application of the regulations. Companies operating in several EU countries must ensure that they fulfil the specific national requirements in each country.